Partitioned Handbag

ABSTRACT

This partitionable bag is capable of being reversibly partitioned. The bag includes a vertical divider with one fixed edge and one movable edge. A securement component on the vertical divider is positioned on or near the movable edge. The securement component is reversibly connectable to a first fastening component and a second fastening component. The first and second fastening components are positioned on an interior surface of the bag and spatially separated from each other. In a first configuration, the securement component is attached to the first fastening component, making the vertical divider taut and causing it to divide the interior space into two storage compartments. In a second configuration, the securement component is attached to the closer, second fastening component, making the vertical divider go slack. In this second configuration, the vertical divider lies along the interior surface and does not divide the interior space of the bag.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The disclosure is directed to the field of bags. More specifically, thepresent disclosure relates to a bag with a movable divider that createsan adjustable partition within the bag.

Description of the Related Art

A good handbag is a staple item in many wardrobes. This handbag needs toprovide organized access to carried items. Many products exist toaddress this need for organization. However, these products often ignorea key item that needs to be carried in a handbag: shoes.

When wearing dress shoes, such as high heels, it can be painful tostand, work, or dance for long periods of time. A common sight at awedding is the parade of tired individuals at the night's end carryingtheir dress shoes in their hands. These individuals are often alsojuggling a handbag and other items. Whether it is a working professionalwearing sneakers on the subway before switching into dress shoes atwork, a church goer, a party goer, or a wedding guest, many people needthe ability to conveniently carry dress shoes or other second pair ofshoes while keeping those shoes protected in their bags until they areready to wear them. Further, there is a need to keep the two shoes in apair separated from each other when in the bag so that the heel of oneshoe does not damage the other shoe as the bag gets jostled in daily useand so any dirt on the sole of one shoe does not rub off onto the othershoe.

Attempts have been made to include shoe compartments in handbags.However, these attempts fail to offer a stylish solution that can easilyand conveniently transform a bag from a traditional handbag to apartitioned handbag for shoes.

There is a need for an improved bag, such as a handbag, that isadjustably configured to hold and protect shoes when necessary.

SUMMARY

The disclosure relates to improved bags and methods of using a bag thatfulfill one or more of the needs identified above.

One aspect of the disclosure relates to a partitionable bag comprisingan outer wall that defines an interior space. The outer wall has aninterior surface and an exterior surface. The partitionable bag furtherincludes a first fastening component and a second fastening componentboth positioned on the interior surface, the first fastening componentand the second fastening component being spatially separated from eachother. The partionable bag also includes a vertical divider having afirst border and a second border. The first border of the verticaldivider is attached to the interior surface, and the second borderincludes a securement component that is interchangeably attachable tothe first fastening component and the second fastening component. Thepartitionable bag is convertible between a first configuration and asecond configuration. In the first configuration, the securementcomponent is attached to the first fastening component, making thevertical divider taut. In the first configuration, the vertical dividerdivides the interior space, creating two storage compartments within theinterior space of the bag. In the second configuration, the securementcomponent is attached to the second fastening component, making thevertical divider slack. In the second configuration, the verticaldivider lies flush with the interior surface so that it does not dividethe interior space of the bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of one embodiment of a partionable bag in aclosed configuration.

FIG. 2 depicts a front view of one embodiment of a partionable bag in aclosed configuration with a detachable strap attached.

FIG. 3 depicts a rear perspective view of one embodiment of apartionable bag in an open configuration.

FIG. 4 depicts a side perspective view of one embodiment of apartionable bag in an open configuration.

FIG. 5 depicts a top view of one embodiment of a partionable bag in aclosed configuration.

FIG. 6 depicts a bottom view of one embodiment of a partionable bag.

FIG. 7 depicts a top view of one embodiment of a partionable bag in anopen configuration.

FIG. 8 depicts a right cross-sectional view of one embodiment of apartionable bag.

FIG. 9 depicts a left cross-sectional view of one embodiment of apartionable bag.

FIG. 10A schematically depicts a top view of one embodiment of apartionable bag in an open and partitioned configuration.

FIG. 10B schematically depicts a top view of one embodiment of apartionable bag in an open but non-partitioned configuration.

FIG. 11 depicts a partial top perspective view of one embodiment of apartionable bag with shoes being placed on opposing sides of apartition.

The embodiments depicted in the drawings and described below areintended to serve as examples and are not limiting. Variousmodifications and changes may be made without departing from the scopeof the described technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The bag 10 described herein has several features that alone or combinedmay address the various needs identified above. As used herein, the term“bag” refers to any container that has an opening, is made of flexiblematerial, and is intended for carrying things. The term “bag” includes,for example, any handbag, shoulder bag, purse, satchel, bucket bag,travel bag, tote bag, carryall, knapsack, or duffel bag. For ease ofdescription, the bag of various depicted embodiments may be referred toas a handbag, but it should be recognized that all varieties of bags arecontemplated herein.

The bag 10 is composed of an outer wall 11 that defines an interiorspace. The outer wall 11 may be made of any material, size, and shapesuitable for carrying personal items, shoes, clothing, office supplies,or other objects within the interior space. In some embodiments, theouter wall 11 is formed of a single piece of material, for example, asis often the case with bindle bags. In other embodiments, the outer wallis composed of two, three, four, five, or more walls attached together.In one example, the outer wall is composed of a circular bottom wall anda single cylindrical side wall. In another example, the outer wall iscomposed of a bottom wall and two side walls. In another example, theouter wall is composed of a left side wall, a right side wall, a frontwall, a rear wall, and a bottom wall. In some embodiments, the outerwall 11 is formed of two or more pieces of material layered on andcoupled to each other. For example, in one embodiment, the exteriorsurface of the outer wall 11 comprises leather or other premium bagmaterial and the interior surface comprises nylon or otherwear-resistant material.

The bag 10 includes an opening to facilitate access to the interiorspace defined by the outer wall 11. In at least some embodiments, theopening is located at an upper portion 13 of the bag 10. As shown, forexample, in FIGS. 1-5 , the opening of the bag 10 is selectively andreversibly closable. The bag 10 may include one or more closure featuresknown to those skilled in the art, for example, the bag 10 may have anupper portion 13 that includes one or more closure features such as oneor more zippers, buttons, snaps, hooks, ties, or drawstrings. In FIGS.1-5 , the bag 10 is a bucket bag with an upper portion 13 that isclosable with a drawstring 14. It is further closeable with a snapclosure 17. In FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 , the bag 10 is in a closedconfiguration. This closed configuration is achieved by pulling tightthe drawstring 14, which is woven through a plurality of grommets 15fixed into an upper portion 13 of the bag 10. In FIGS. 3-4 , the bag 10is in an open configuration achieved by pulling on the snap closure andloosening the drawstring.

The bag 10 of various embodiments is selectively and reversiblypartitionable. As used herein, the term “partitionable” means havingfeatures configured to divide a compartment into a plurality ofcompartments. In some embodiments, a bag 10 with a single interior spacehas features enabling the bag 10 to convert into a bag 10 with two ormore divided interior spaces (also referred to as compartments).

As shown, for example, in FIG. 7 , the bag 10 has a vertical divider 30with features that enable the divider 30 to be adjusted and movedbetween a first configuration and a second configuration. In the firstconfiguration, the divider extends from one side of the bag 10 toanother side of the bag 10, separating an interior space into twocompartments. In the second configuration, the divider is positionedalong an interior surface of the outer wall so as to create one interiorstorage space. The first configuration with two compartments may beuseful, for example, to store both shoes and other travel needs, in thatthe shoes can be kept separate from the other travel needs. As anotherexample, having two compartments as in the first configuration may beuseful to keep two shoes separated from each other so the heel or soleof one does not damage the other shoe. In such an example, when anindividual is not carrying around a pair of shoes, the individual maywant one large compartment in the bag 10. The movable partition 30 makesfor a versatile bag 10.

The vertical divider 30 has a first border 31 and a second border 32. Asused herein, the first border 31 and the second border 32 refer toregions near opposing vertical ends of the vertical divider 30. Herein,a border includes a vertical edge of the vertical divider 30 as well asa portion of the vertical divider 30 substantially near to the verticaledge, for example, within half an inch, an inch, two inches, or threeinches of the edge.

The first border 31 of the vertical divider 30 is attached at a locationon the interior surface 12 of the bag 10. In some embodiments describedherein, the first border 31 of the vertical divider 30 is sewn-in alongone location of the interior surface 12 of the bag 10. In otherembodiments, the first border 31 of vertical divider 30 is integrallyconnected to the interior surface 12 of the bag 10 or otherwise fixedlyattached to the interior surface 12 of the bag 10. Advantageously, insuch embodiments, the first border 31 is fixedly secured to the interiorsurface 12 so that the vertical divider 30 cannot be fully removed fromthe bag eliminating the risk of the vertical divider 30 being leftbehind or misplaced. In other embodiments, the first border 31 of thevertical divider 30 may be removably attached to the interior surface 12of the handbag 10 via one or more snaps, buttons, zippers, clasps, orother securement mechanisms.

The second border 32 of the vertical divider 30 is freely movable (asshown, for example, in FIG. 8 , a cross-sectional drawing where thesecond border 32 is not attached to any portion of the interior surface12). The second border 32 has a securement component 33 disposed on orcoupled to it. The securement component 33 is selectively,interchangeably, and removably attachable to at least two fasteningcomponents 40 disposed on or coupled to the interior surface 12 of thebag 10. The fastening components are spatially separated from each otheron the interior surface 12. The securement component 33 is complementaryto each of the fastening components 40, such that the securementcomponent 33 is securely connectable to each of the at least twofastening components 40. Together, the securement component 33 and anyof the fastening components 40 form a complete fastening mechanism. Forexample, the securement component 33 and a fastening component 40 maytogether comprise a complete snap closure, a hook and loop fastener, ahook and eye fastener, a button and loop closure, a toggle and loopclosure, a tie closure, a zipper, or any other fastener known to thoseskilled in the art. As shown for example in FIGS. 7 and 8 , in someembodiments, the securement component 33 comprises a snap componentaffixed to an upper portion of the second border 32 of the verticaldivider 30, and each of the fastening components 40 comprises a snapcomponent complementary to the securement component 33. For example, thesecurement component 33 may be a stud and each of the fasteningcomponents 40 may be a socket or vice versa.

With the at least two fastening components 40, the partitionable bag isconvertible between a first configuration and a second configuration. Inthe first configuration, the securement component 33 is attached to thefirst fastening component 41. The first fastening component 41 is spacedsufficiently far from the first border 31 such that connecting thesecurement component 33 to the first fastening component 41 causes thevertical divider 30 to be pulled taut. In at least some embodiments, adistance between the first border 31 and the first fastening component41 is equal to or substantially equal to the length of the verticaldivider 30. In the first configuration, the first border 31 and thesecond border 32 are attached to opposing portions of the interiorsurface 12, and the vertical divider 30 divides the interior space,creating two storage compartments within the interior space of the bag10 (see, e.g., FIG. 10A).

In the second configuration, the securement component 33 is attached tothe second fastening component 42. In at least some embodiments, thefirst fastening component 41 and the second fastening component 42 arematching (e.g., identical components). In at least some embodiments, thefirst fastening component 41 and the second fastening component 42 areat an equal or substantially equal vertical position within the bag 10but are spatially separated horizontally (i.e., along a horizontalplane), with the second fastening component 42 being positioned closerto the first border 31 than the first fastening component 41 is. As aresult, in the second configuration, the vertical divider 30 is slack.In various embodiments, the vertical divider 30 is made of a flexible,non-rigid material, and going slack causes the vertical divider 30 torest against, lie flush with, or otherwise be positioned along theinterior surface 12 of the outer wall 11 (see, e.g., FIG. 10B). In thesecond configuration, the vertical divider 30 does not divide theinterior space of the bag 10.

While one securement component 33 is shown here, in some embodiments, aplurality of securement components 33 are provided. For example, thevertical divider of some embodiments includes two, three, or moresecurement components 33 along the second border 32 at differentvertical positions (i.e., at different heights). In such embodiments,each securement component 33 is configured to reversibly couple to aunique pair of first fastening components 41 and second fasteningcomponents 42. For example, in one embodiment, there is at least a firstsecurement component 33 near a top portion of the vertical divider 30and a second securement component 33 near a middle or bottom portion ofthe vertical divider 30. In such an embodiment, a first pair of firstand second fastening components 41, 42 are at a vertical position equalto or substantially equal to the vertical position of the firstsecurement component 33, and a second pair of first and second fasteningcomponents 41, 42 are at a vertical position equal to or substantiallyequal to the vertical position of the second securement component 33.

In one embodiment, the first fastening component 41 is positioned on theinterior surface 12 directly opposite the location at which the firstborder 31 attaches to the interior surface 12, such that the verticaldivider 30 divides the interior space of the handbag in half, creatingtwo equally sized compartments. The second fastening component 42 isspatially offset horizontally from the first fastening component 41along the interior surface 12, such that the vertical divider 30 liesflush with the interior surface 12 of the handbag when coupled to thesecond fastening component 42. Operationally, this second fasteningcomponent 42 holds the divider 30 in place against the interior wall 12of the handbag and allows the handbag to function as if there were nopartition present. In other embodiments, additional fastening componentsmay be present on the interior surface 12 and spatially separatedhorizontally from the first and second fastening components 41, 42. Insuch embodiments, the second border 32 of the vertical divider 30 can beselectively and movably attached to the various fastening components tocreate compartment arrangements of various sizes and shapes.

The bag 10 may further include one or more additional features presentin bags known to those skilled in the art. For example, as shown in FIG.2 , the bag 10 of some embodiments includes one or more handles orshoulder straps 20. The shoulder strap 20 may be permanently affixed orfully detachable. The bag 10 of some embodiments includes a bottom wallor base 16. The base 16 of some embodiments is reinforced with a coatingor materials to increase durability, for example, a water-resistantcoating or material. The base 16 of some embodiments includes additionalfeatures to enhance durability and/or to help the bag 10 remain upright,such as a plurality of feet, studs, or rivets 18. The bag 10 of FIG. 6is shown with four feet 18. In other embodiments, the bag 10 may includetwo, three, four, five, six, or more feet or rivets. The base 16 of someembodiments includes features to enhance transport of the bag 10, suchas wheels. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , in some embodiments, the bag 10includes one or more pockets 19. The pockets 19 may be attached to orintegrated into the outer wall 11 and may be accessible from an exteriorsurface or an interior surface of the bag 10. The pockets 19 may includeone or more of hidden pockets, seam pockets, patch pockets, zipperedpockets, or any other pocket known to those skilled in the art.

In various embodiments, this partitionable bag 10 is capable of beingreversibly partitioned. The bag 10 includes a vertical divider 30 withone fixed edge (e.g., the first border 31) and one movable edge (e.g.,the second border 32). A securement component 33 on the vertical divider30 is positioned on or near the movable edge 32. The securementcomponent 33 is reversibly connectable to a first fastening component 41and a second fastening component 42. The first and second fasteningcomponents are positioned on an interior surface 12 of the bag 10 andspatially separated from each other. In a first configuration, thesecurement component 33 is attached to the first fastening component 41,pulling the vertical divider 30 tight and causing it to divide theinterior space into two storage compartments. In a second configuration,the securement component 33 is attached to the closer second fasteningcomponent 42, making the vertical divider 30 go relatively slack. Inthis second configuration, the vertical divider 30 lies against or inclose proximity to the interior surface 12 and does not divide theinterior space of the bag 10 into separate storage compartments.

Also contemplated within this disclosure is a method of using apartionable bag, such as embodiment of the partionable bag 10 describedabove. The method includes connecting the securement component 33 to thefirst fastening component 41 when a bag with a plurality of storagecompartments is desired. The step of connecting may include, asnon-limiting examples, snapping, buttoning, hooking, tying, or zippingthe securement component 33 to the first fastening component 41. Doingso pulls the vertical divider 30 taut and causes the vertical divider 30to span across the bag 10 from one portion of the interior surface 12 ofthe outer wall 11 to another portion of the interior surface 12 of theouter wall 11. In this first configuration, the outer wall 10 and thevertical divider 30 together define a first compartment and a secondcompartment. The method may further include placing a first object intoa first compartment and a second object into a second compartment. Insome embodiments, the first object is a first shoe and the second objectis a second shoe (as shown, for example, in FIG. 11 ). In anotherembodiment, the first object is a pair of shoes and the second object isone or more personal items. The method of using a partitionable bag 10further includes disconnecting the securement component 33 from thefirst fastening component 41 and connecting the securement component 33to the second fastening component 42 when one, larger compartment isdesired. Connecting the securement component 33 to the second fasteningcomponent 42 causes the vertical divider 30 to go slack. In thisconfiguration, the vertical divider 30 does not create a division withinthe interior space, and instead, the outer wall 11 and the verticaldivider 30 together define a larger, unified storage compartment. Themethod may further include placing one or more objects into the unifiedstorage compartment.

Unless otherwise defined, each technical or scientific term has the samemeaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevantart.

As used in the specification and claims, the singular form “a”, “an” and“the” include both singular and plural references unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “a vertical divider”is contemplated to include a plurality of vertical dividers. At times,the claims and disclosure may include terms such as “a plurality,” “oneor more,” or “at least one;” however, the absence of such terms is notintended to mean, and should not be interpreted to mean, that aplurality is not conceived.

As used in the specification and claims, the term “comprising” or“comprises” is intended to mean that the devices, systems, and methodsinclude the recited elements and may additionally include any otherelements. Terms such as “including” and “having” are intended to be openterms synonymous with “comprising” and should be interpreted torespectively mean, for example, “including but not limited to” and“having at least.”

The foregoing has included detailed descriptions of some features of thetechnology. Features of the various embodiments can be arranged,combined, and designed in a variety of different configurations, all ofwhich are explicitly contemplated and form part of this disclosure. Forexample, any of the components described or depicted in one embodimentmay be combined or interchanged with components, or excluded, from otherembodiments. In light of the provided illustrations and examples, itwill be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art thatnumerous changes and modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the appended claims.

1. A partitionable bag, comprising: an outer wall defining an interior space, the outer wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface; a first fastening component and a second fastening component on the interior surface, the first fastening component and the second fastening component being spatially separated from each other; and a vertical divider having a first border and a second border, wherein the first border is attached to the interior surface of the bag and the second border comprises a securement component that is interchangeably attachable to the first fastening component and the second fastening component, wherein the partitionable bag is convertible between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein, in the first configuration, the securement component is attached to the first fastening component and the vertical divider divides the interior space, creating two storage compartments within the interior space, and wherein, in the second configuration, the securement component is attached to the second fastening component and the vertical divider is positioned along the interior surface.
 2. The partitionable bag of claim 1, wherein the outer wall comprises a plurality of walls that together define the interior space.
 3. The partitionable bag of claim 1, wherein the outer wall comprises a base and at least one side wall.
 4. The partitionable bag of claim 1, wherein the securement component is complementary and securely but reversibly connectable to the first fastening component and to the second fastening component.
 5. The partitionable bag of claim 1, wherein together the securement component and any of the first fastening component and the second fastening component form a complete fastening mechanism.
 6. The partitionable bag of claim 5, wherein the complete fastening mechanism comprises a snap closure, a hook and loop fastener, a hook and eye fastener, a button and loop closure, a toggle and loop closure, a tie closure, or a zipper.
 7. The partitionable bag of claim 1, wherein the first fastening component and the second fastening component are spatially separated from each other horizontally.
 8. The partitionable bag of claim 1, wherein the first border is fixedly secured to the interior surface.
 9. The partitionable bag of claim 1, wherein the first fastening component is coupled to the interior surface of the outer wall at a position opposing a location where the first border is attached to the interior surface.
 10. The partitionable bag of claim 1, wherein the securement component comprises a snap component affixed to an upper portion of the second border.
 11. The partitionable bag of claim 1, wherein the vertical divider is flexible, and wherein, in the first configuration, the vertical divider is taut, and in the second configuration, the vertical divider is slack.
 12. The partitionable bag of claim 1, further comprising a strap.
 13. The partitionable bag of claim 1, further comprising a storage pocket. 